In the AP English Language and Composition course students will become skilled readers and writers of nonfiction texts written for a variety of situations and rhetorical contexts. Students hone their ability to evaluate language as a tool from the perspective of the reader, speaker/listener, and writer. Students will become skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their reading and their writing will emphasize the dynamic relationship between a writer's purpose, the context, the expectations of the audience, and the argument as well as the genre conventions and the resources of language that contribute to effective writing. While writing represents a significant component of this course, the core skill required is the ability to read well. In reading another writer's work, students must be able to address four fundamental questions about a composition: What is being said? To whom is it being said? How is it being said? Why is it being said? The answers to these questions inform students' own composition processes as they learn to read like writers and write like readers. This course can be taken for English III credit or English IV credit. Dual credit may be obtained for this program at high schools offering this option.

Prerequisites: English I or I (H) and English II or II (H); Students should plan to take the AP test (fee). Most colleges and universities accept successful exam scores for credit, advanced placement, or both.

Credit: 1 Academic Credit

This course is literature-based and includes the critical analysis of sophisticated text and extensive practice in "writing-on-demand" to improve the clarity and depth of thought required for many university majors. To parallel the university academic experience, discussion, written critical analysis, independent reading and research are required as well. Successful completion of this course ensures that students will be prepared for all post-secondary learning opportunities, especially public and private universities. This course can be taken for English III credit or English IV credit. After completing this course, students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement exam. Dual credit may be obtained for this program at high schools offering this option.

Prerequisites:  Students should plan to take the AP test (fee). Most colleges and universities accept successful exam scores for credit, advanced placement, or both.

Credits:  1 Academic Credit

Creative Writing is a rigorous elective course for students interested in improving their use of multi-sensory imagery, figurative language, and other literary devices in order to forge a personal voice or style in their own imaginative, personal written expression. Students will write, revise and present a variety of original written works. Additionally, students will focus on working individually and collaboratively to revise and polish their original work in preparation for presentation and publication (e.g., literary magazine, student anthology, public reading, children's books, etc.) This course may be repeated once for credit.

Prerequisites:  70% or higher required in English I
Credits:  0.5 Elective Credit

This course is required for graduation. It is the first step in an integrated sequence of instruction in the language arts state standards. Thematic units introduce students to the foundational process skills and knowledge necessary to meet District and State graduation requirements in Language Arts. A variety of short selections, both expressive-descriptive and informative-expository, will be analyzed. The research process and the formal essay will be introduced.

Prerequisites: Meets eligibility
Credits:  1 Academic Credit

This course is required for graduation. It is the second step in an integrated sequence of instruction in the language arts state standards. Thematic units continue instruction in the process skills and knowledge necessary to meet District and State graduation requirements in Language Arts. A variety of selections, both expressive-descriptive and informative-expository will be analyzed. Writing assignments will emphasize using the writing process to develop and support a thesis through persuasive writing techniques.

Prerequisites: 60% or higher required in English I
Credits: 1 Academic Credit

This course fulfills regular English II graduation requirements. It includes the required reading, writing, speaking, and listening state standards as described in English II with special emphasis given to analysis of world literature, formal essay writing, and the research process. Independent reading and writing will be required. Students who earn below 70% will not be eligible to take the next level honors course.

Prerequisities:  70% or higher required in English I H or equivalent
Credits:  1 Academic Credit

This course is required for graduation. It is the third step in an integrated sequence of instruction in the language arts, state standards. Thematic units provide an overview of the American literary tradition, and continue instruction in the process skills and knowledge necessary to District and State graduation requirements in Language Arts. Literary analysis and the cause-effect essay will be stressed.

Prerequisites:  60% or higher required in English II
Credits: 1 Academic Credit

This course fulfills the fourth year English requirement for graduation. Independent reading, writing, and research will be required and parallel the university academic experience. Multi-genre, thematic units sample the reading, writing and critical thinking skills encountered in introductory college-level classes and meets District and State graduation requirements. Successful completion of this course ensures that students will be prepared for many post-secondary learning opportunities including advanced technical schools, community colleges, and public and private universities. Dual credit may be obtained for this course at high schools offering this option.

Prerequisites:  60% or higher in English III or English III H
Credits:  1 Academic Credit